Renewable Energy

- Power for a Sustainable Future

Diana Ma, Ph.D. Vice President, SunPower Corp.

October 24, 2009

Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale

Contents
1. The Vital Natural Processes: 2. The Imbalance of Nature Processes due to Mankind 3. Climate Changes: The Fundamental Challenges Confronting Humanity 4. Renewable Energies: Green Powers for a Sustainable Future Solar Thermal Solar Photovoltaic Bioenergy Wind 5. Reduce Consumption of Energy Services 6. Executive Takeaways
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What is CO2 and Why Does It Matter?

CO2 plays an important role during Photosynthesis process, is vital for life CO2 is a product of respiration by plants, human ,animals, and microorganisms CO2 is a by-product from combustion of organic matters (e,g. fossil ) CO2 is stored in 3 major reservoirs: atmosphere, lands, and ocean 72%~77%% of total greenhouse gases is CO2

Atmosphere Greenhouse Gases: CO2, CH4, NOx, etc.

CO
2

CO2 Land
burns

Organics CO2 +H2O

CO2 Sugars + O2

CO2
Ocean: CO2 dissolve: CO2+H2O H2CO3

CO2 in 3 reservoirs was well balanced in pre-industrial days

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What is Greenhouse Effect?

CO2, CH4, NOx, CFC, etc

Infrared (IR) radiation is given off by the Earth to outer space and cools the Earth

Sunlight (UV, Visible) passes through the atmosphere and warms the Earth

Greenhouse effect balances sunlight in and out and makes the earth surface suitable for life
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When More CO2 Emitted to Atmosphere

Atmosphere Greenhouse Gases: CO2,

CH4,NOx, CFC, etc

CO2 CO2 Land

burns

CO2 Ocean: CO2 dissolve: CO2+H2O CO2 Sugars + O2

H2CO3

Organics CO2 +H2O

CO2 in atmosphere has increased from 280 ppm < 1900s to 387 ppm in 2007, and 50 ppm was increased in the recent 35 years
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Less IR Radiation Transmitted Out

CO2, CH4, NO2, CFC-12, etc
Some IR is trapped by increased Greenhouse gases
Infrared (IR) radiation is given off by the Earth to outer space and cools the Earth

Sunlight (UV, Visible) passes through the atmosphere and warms the Earth

Increased level of Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere traps IR and reduces the cooling effect on earth, causing climate changes
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The Natural Processes are Out of Balance

- Upset Balance of The Natural Processes by Industrial Activities

and Modern Life Style
Greenhouse Gas
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)* Methane (CH4) Nitrous Oxide Halocarbons CFC-12

Preindustrial level
280 ppm

Current Level

Increased since 1750

104 ppm**

Radiative Forcing (W/m2)

1.46

387 ppm*

700 ppb 270 ppb 0

1,745 ppb 314 ppb 533 ppt

1,045 ppb 44 ppb 533 ppt

0.48 0.15 0.17

Source: Green Gases by Wikimedia

* CO2 current level is at its highest for at least 800,000 years.** 50 ppm was increased from 1973 to 2006

The usage of fossil fuel and excess deforestation all contribute to the acceleration of CO2 emission The Greenhouse gas levels will be 2X of the pre-industrial level by 2050 if no action taken, warming up the earth by ~1.8C-6.4C
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What Are the Impacts of Climate Changes?

2C rise in global temperature will have serious negative effects on our environmental, food, water supplies, and health:
Many ecosystems irreversibly decline. 20-30% of species face extinction. Sea levels rise due to thermal expansion and ice melt. More frequent and extreme whether events such as heat-waves, floods, storms, wildfires, and droughts occur around the world. Regional food shortages, mass migration and poverty increase, threatening the survival of the most vulnerable population. (source: IPCC 2007) Patterns of disease change with wide areas of the world becoming at risk.
2007

1981

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What Are the Actions Taken?

1. Internationally, countries have been negotiating a global agreement through United Nations, such as the Kyoto Protocol of 1990s.

2. New international negotiations are to be concluded by 12/09 at the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen
3. Numbers of countries are setting a national CO2 reduction targets over 2008~2012, 8% for EU, 7% for the US, 6% for Japan, 8% for Australia, and 10% for Iceland. 4. However, significantly more intensified efforts must be taken in order to stabilize the atmospheric CO2 level at < 50% above its current level (e.g. < 450ppm), CO2 emission must be reduced by >80% by 2100

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World Electricity Generation by Fuel Type (2007)

Solar <1% Other renewables 18%
Nuclear 16% Coal 40% Natural gas 19%

World Fossil Fuel Reservation: Coal: Oil: Natural gas: 200 years 40 years 60 years
Source: BP 2003

Oil 6%

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration 2007

Fossil fuel combustion is the biggest source of CO2 emission (coal energy: 1000gCO2/kWh). Renewable energies greatly reduce CO2 emission (20~80gCO2/kWh)
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What Are the Main Techniques?

1. Reduce the consumption of energy services

2. Increase the efficiency of energy conversion or utilization

3. Switch to lower carbon content fuel, e.g. natural gas instead of coal 4. Enhance the sinks for CO2, e.g. forests, soils, and ocean which draw-down CO2 from the atmosphere

5. Use energy sources with very low CO2 emission, such as renewable energy or nuclear energy
6. Capture and store CO2 from heavy CO2 emission sources, e.g. fossil fuel combustion
Source: IEA Report Putting Carbon Back into the Ground , 2001
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CO2 Capture & Storage into Ground & Ocean

Source: Putting Carbon Back into the Ground, IEA, 2001

Source: Ocean Storage of CO2, IEA, 1999

CO2 Capture & Storage is under investigation and may provide short term cost
relatively effective (2X of current cost) CO2 emission reduction without much impact on the existing energy infrastructure. However, the long term environmental impacts are of great concerns and need to be further investigated.
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The Primary Source of Renewable Energy - Incoming Solar Radiation

Renewable is defined as energy obtained from the continuous currents of energy recurring in the natural environment. The primary source is the incoming solar radiation Among the 5.4M exajouls (Ej) per year incoming radiation, 3.8M Ej available, >10,000 time than needed
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Source: Renewable Energy G. Boyle, 2004

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Renewable Energy for CO2 Emission Reduction

Examples of Global Primary Energy

1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 2000

20% by 2020
50% by 2050 80% by 2100

Solar Wind Biomass Geothermal Hydroelectric Nuclear Fossil Fuel

Solar Wind Biomass

2010

2020

2030

2040

2050

2060

2070

2080

2090

2100

Source: Don Aitken adapted from Bull and Billman, NREL 2004

Solar, Wind and Biomass Energies will play significant roles in stabilizing CO2 in atmosphere (80% CO2 emission reductions by 2100)
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Solar Thermal Energy

- Convert Sun Thermal Energy to Heat and Electricity
Applications
Water and Space Heating Electricity

Technology
Heating: utilize energy-saving building design or use heat collector Electricity: Utilize high temperature oils or salts as heating medium and mirrors to concentrate lights

Cost & Complexity

Heating: cost effective and fast return Electricity: high upfront capital cost but relatively low running cost

Kramer Juction, CA
Source: G. Boyle, Renewable Energy 2004

Environmental Impact
50X less CO2 emission than fossil energy Large land demand for power plant

Drawbacks
Local climate dependent Require high upfront investment for power plant
Source: G. Boyle, Renewable Energy 2004

Combined with energy-saving building design, low temperature solar heating contributes as significant benefits as a solar thermal or PV power plant
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Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Energy - Convert Sunlight to Electricity

Chung Tai Zen Center Rooftop

Zen Picture
Solar Power Plant In Nellis Air Force Base

If PV modules of 20% average efficiency were installed on 0.05% of the earth surface, ~ 0.65% earths total desert area, it would meet current world energy demand
Source: SunPower Marketing
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Solar PV Energy
Applications
Power for residential and commercial rooftop , as well as power plants (grid connected), and rural electrification for developing countries (non-grid connected).

Technologies
Si and polysilicon solar cell Thin-film on glass or flexible substrate

Cost & Complexity

High in upfront capital Lowest running cost Easy to install

Environmental Impact
20X lower CO2 emission than conventional coal electricity Can leverage low value land Flexible in sizes, suitable for homes, big cities or small rural villages

Drawbacks
~5-10X higher cost than conventional

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Electrification for Rural Areas - Solar PV in an Isolated Village of Amazon, Brazil

By 2012, 500,000 village scale PV systems will be installed
- EU Plan for Take off

By 2020, Solar PV power will be provided to 1B off-grid people

- European PV Industry Association and Greenpeace

Electricity also allows isolated villages to access solar-powered medical clinic, water pump & satellite internet access
Source: SunPower Marketing

Solar PV has the potential to meet the need of the worlds poorest with affordable clean energy Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale 18

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How to Close the Cost Gap

Federal Tax Subsidies

Reduce solar PV system cost Reduce development cost and timeline Lower PV financing cost

$0.15/kwh Economic Viability $0.10/kwh Fossil Electricity

Increase production cost due to resources depletion Add carbon mitigation cost

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Solar Panel Cost Reduction Factors

- Conversion Efficiency - Manufacturing Scale - Silicon Utilization - Manufacturing Yield

>20% efficiency module

Source: SunPower Q209 Earning Call, July, 2009

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Bioenergy
- Convert Biomass into Heat, Power and Fuel
Biomass of all the living earths matter is an enormous energy store Through photosynthesis processes the biomass energy store is continuously replenished Naturally, biomass experiences numerous energy exchanges via chemical, physical and biological processes

Bioenergy have been used since mankind began

The bioenergy cycle on the local scale

Source: G. Boyle, Renewable Energy, 2004

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Bioenergy
Applications
Mainly for heating, fuels (e.g. ethanol) and electricity (most suitable for small scale locate generation or operating as combined heat and power (CHP) plants)

Biomass Sources
Energy crops : the purpose-grown energy crops (e.g. corn, sugar cane) Wastes (energy from wastes): unwanted products from human activities

Technologies
Combustion Anaerobic digestion Gasification

Cost & Complexity

Upfront equipment capital for electricity is high. Fuel cost can be significant

Environmental Impact
CO2 emission: 93gCO2/kWh (combustion), 25 gCO2/kWh (gasification). Increased other greenhouse gases and air pollutants: NOx , CH4, and SO2 . Energy consumption for some processes can be high Land-greedy and energy crops compete with agricultural land
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Biomass Energy

Extraction of landfill gas (CH4)

Straw-fired power station

G. Boyle, Renewable Energy, 2004

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Wind Energy - Convert Wind Energy to Electricity

Applications Power plant

Technology Maturity
One of the earliest alternative energies Horizontal and vertical axis wind turbines

Cost & Complexity

The most cost effective and competitive with fossil energy

Environmental Impact
Lowest CO2 emission with minimal pollution Minimal water and energy consumption. Noise Electromagnetic interference Birds fatal collisions Visual
Source: G. Boyle, Renewable Energy, 2004
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Integrated Wind and Solar Energies to Building

Source: G. Boyle, Renewable Energy, 2004

A future building concept that maximizes two main natural energy resources.

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Increasing Electricity Demand

Countries Annual per capita electricity use (kWh) Canada / USA 12,000 14,000 Europe 2000 8000 Spain Australia 3rd World (China/India) < 2000
Source: SVTI, 2008

Average Annual Percentage Change in Net Electricity Consumption (2003 2030)

Source: US Department of Energy - EIA

Choice of our lifestyle has great impact of energy demand

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Reduce Consumption of Energy Services

>40% of current CO2 emissions are caused by the choices we make
~ 25 consumer electronic products in every US household now vs 3 in 1980 Consumer electronics consume 15% power demand and will increase by 3X in the next 2 decades More and bigger cars and houses Eating more meats Waste more water More wastes generated: electronic wastes, plastic bags, papers .

Choosing a green and low emission lifestyle is the most cost effective and fastest action we can take to reduce CO2 emission
Become a vegetarian (at least one day a week)

We must jumpstart a fundamental transformation of global economics, politics, social responsibility and low emission lifestyle towards a global climateresilient, green-low emission and more sustainable future

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Executive Takeaways
Mankinds industrial activities and modern lifestyle have upset the natural balance. Global climate change is threatening the earths well-being and endangering our sustainable future. Intensified efforts must be taken across the globe in all aspects, technically, economically, politically, and socially in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Renewable energy and other energy efficiency improvements are crucial to reduce CO2 emissions Reducing energy consumption is the most cost effective and fastest solution that everyone can contribute

Be part of the solution!

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Backup

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Other Renewable Energies

Renewable Energies Hydro Technology Maturity Matured and being used for years Maturing and being used Emerging Cost CO2 Emission Low Environmental impacts Large dams environmental and social impacts can be significant Relatively low Relatively low (under study)

Comparable

Geothermal Marine ( Waves, Tidal)

Comparable High

Relatively Low Similar to PV

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